ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
PRESIDENT OF INDIA GRACES 19TH CONVOCATION OF THE INDIAN COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH – NATIONAL DAIRY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu graced and addressed the 19th convocation of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research – National Dairy Research Institute  at Karnal, Haryana today .
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that the dairy industry plays an important role in ensuring the food and nutritional security of our country. The dairy sector also contributes about 5 percent to the country's GDP and provides livelihood to about 8 crore families in India. Hence, institutions like NDRI have an important role to play in the inclusive development of the country.
The President said that cows and other livestock have been an integral part of Indian society and traditions. She was happy to note that NDRI has developed technology to produce clones of high milk yielding buffaloes and cows. She said that it would increase the milk production capacity of the animals and enhance the farmers’ income.
The President said that milk and milk products have always been an integral part of Indian food and culture. India is the largest milk producing country in the world. But, we are facing the challenges of increasing demand for milk products. Apart from this, the dairy sector is also facing challenges like availability of good quality fodder, change in weather due to climate change and diseases in livestock. Making milk production and dairy farming sustainable is a challenge before us. It is the responsibility of all of us to develop the dairy industry by adopting environment-friendly and climate-smart technologies, keeping animal welfare in mind. She was happy to note that NDRI is promoting various technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from dairy farms. Along with this, NDRI is also emphasising on clean energy like biogas production.
The President said that women are playing an important role in the management of dairy industry in India. This sector can play a very important role in making women self-reliant. Therefore, there is a need to provide them more opportunities in education, training and skill development. Women should also be provided easy loans and market access to set up ventures in dairy sector.
Please click here to see the President's Speech -
Ministry of Defence
MAINTENANCE OF ROADS BY BRO
Amount of funds sanctioned by the Government and spent by the Border Roads Organisation  on the maintenance of roads in various States/UTs during the last three years is as follows:
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|
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State
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2019-20
|
|
2020-21
|
|
2021-22
|
|
Allot
|
|
Expdr
|
|
Allot
|
|
Expdr
|
|
Allot
|
|
Expdr
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|
Rajasthan
|
|
57.71
|
|
57.71
|
|
66.02
|
|
66.02
|
|
74.54
|
|
74.53
|
|
Punjab
|
|
14.89
|
|
14.89
|
|
17.15
|
|
17.15
|
|
19.54
|
|
19.68
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|
Himachal Pradesh
|
|
60.71
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|
60.71
|
|
93.00
|
|
93.00
|
|
77.71
|
|
77.68
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|
Uttarakhand
|
|
47.35
|
|
47.35
|
|
40.52
|
|
40.52
|
|
45.01
|
|
42.81
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|
Arunachal Pradesh
|
|
141.35
|
|
141.35
|
|
242.22
|
|
242.22
|
|
184.03
|
|
183.49
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|
Assam
|
|
8.86
|
|
8.86
|
|
15.37
|
|
15.37
|
|
11.57
|
|
11.59
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|
Jammu & Kashmir
|
|
169.43
|
|
169.43
|
|
246.98
|
|
246.98
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|
220.40
|
|
211.96
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|
Ladakh UT
|
|
126.94
|
|
126.94
|
|
187.85
|
|
187.85
|
|
138.35
|
|
138.53
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|
Nagaland
|
|
33.36
|
|
33.36
|
|
34.30
|
|
34.30
|
|
24.20
|
|
24.20
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|
Manipur
|
|
14.30
|
|
14.30
|
|
14.70
|
|
14.70
|
|
10.37
|
|
10.37
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|
Mizoram
|
|
29.75
|
|
29.75
|
|
70.58
|
|
70.58
|
|
42.81
|
|
42.81
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|
Andaman & Nicobar
|
|
0.06
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|
0.06
|
|
0.14
|
|
0.14
|
|
0.09
|
|
0.09
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|
Sikkim
|
|
31.21
|
|
31.21
|
|
57.07
|
|
57.07
|
|
68.42
|
|
66.38
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|
West Bengal
|
|
5.08
|
|
5.08
|
|
9.29
|
|
9.29
|
|
11.14
|
|
10.81
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|
Meghalaya
|
|
0.44
|
|
0.44
|
|
0.83
|
|
0.83
|
|
0.84
|
|
0.59
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|
Misc
|
|
137.85
|
|
137.85
|
|
107.98
|
|
107.98
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|
80.18
|
|
79.73
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Total
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|
879.30
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|
879.30
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1,204.00
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|
1,204.00
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|
1,009.19
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|
995.25
BRO is mandated to carry out the maintenance of roads regularly from funds allocated on a yearly basis. Provisions stipulated in Indian Roads Congress -82  and Technical Instruction  No. 2 are being used as guidelines for maintenance of roads by BRO.
The steps taken by BRO to construct better road system in border areas include adoption of new technologies and techniques, Engineering Procurement and Construction  mode of execution of contracts etc. During the past three years, new and modern equipment and construction plants worth Rs 711.29 crore have been approved for procurement.
BRO constructs roads on the basis of strategic requirements of a region on the basis of priority fixed by the Indian Army. As per Revised Long Term Roll on Works Plan  2018-23, three  road projects of length 121.70 km have been completed in the State of Rajasthan.
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt in a written reply to Shri Nihal Chand in Lok Sabha today.
ABB/Savvy
(
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Handing over of fast patrol vessels to other countries
India’s policy towards countries in the Indian Ocean Region is guided by the 'Neighbourhood First' policy and PM’s vision of SAGAR 
A high-level virtual event was organized on 08 Apr 2021 between India and Seychelles for the joint e-inauguration of several development assistance projects funded by India in Seychelles and the handing over of a Fast Patrol Vessel  made by India for the use of the Seychelles Coast Guard.
During the Virtual Event, Prime Minister of India handed over a 48.9 m Fast Patrol Vessel  to the President of Seychelles. The FPV, built by M/s GRSE, Kolkata at as cost of INR 100 crore, has been gifted to Seychelles under Indian grant assistance to meet its urgent requirement of strengthening its maritime surveillance capabilities. The supply of the vessel is in line with time-tested and deep cooperation between India and Seychelles in the field of maritime security and India’s role as a trusted and preferred security partner of Seychelles.
In line with India’s time-tested role as a partner of preference for Indian Ocean region countries for their maritime security, India has gifted similar Fast Patrol Vessels to Seychelles in 2005 and 2014, to Mauritius in 2016 and 2017 and to Maldives in 2006 and 2019.
India’s policy towards countries in the Indian Ocean Region is guided by the 'Neighbourhood First' policy and Prime Minister’s vision of SAGAR .
India’s Neighbourhood First policy focuses on creating mutually beneficial, people-oriented, regional frameworks for stability and prosperity. India’s engagement with these countries is based on a consultative, non-reciprocal and outcome-oriented approach, which focuses on delivering benefits like greater connectivity, improved infrastructure, stronger development cooperation in various sectors area, security and broader people-to-people contacts.
The vision of SAGAR is building greater trust and promoting respect for maritime rules, norms and peaceful resolution of disputes.
Under the above guiding framework, India’s relationships with all the countries in this region have seen significant progress over the last five years.
This information was given by the Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Shantanu Thakur in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Railways
Status of Vistadome Trains
At present, 45 number of trains over Zonal Railways are being operated with Vistadome coaches in their composition, as detailed below;-
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Sl No.
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Zonal Railway
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Details of Trains
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1.
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Central Railway
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11007/08 Mumbai-Pune Express 12051/52 Mumbai-Madgaon Express 12123/24 Deccan Queen Express
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2.
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|
East Coast Railway
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|
18551/52 Visakhapatnam-Kirandul Express

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|
3.
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|
Northeast Frontier Railway
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|
15777/78 Alipurduar – New Jalpaiguri Express 15887/88 Guwahati-Badarpur Express 15907/08 Tinsukia-Naharlagun Express 52593/95/98/44, 52541, 52540, 52556
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway 
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4.
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Western Railway
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|
20947/48 Ahmedabad-Kevadiya Express 20949/50 Ahmedabad-Kevadiya Express 52965/66 Mhow-Patalpani-Kalakund
09501/02, 09071/72 Billimora-Waghai
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5.
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|
South Western Railway
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|
16539/40 Yeswantpur-Mangalore Express 16515/16 Yeswantpur-Karwar Express 16575/76 Yeswantpur-Mangalore Express
16579/80 Yeswantpur-Shivamogga Express
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|
6.
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|
Northern Railway
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|
52453/54, 52459/60 Kalka - Shimla Express
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|
7.
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|
North Eastern Railway
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|
05319/20 Mailani-Bichia Special
Routes are selected based on natural scenic beauty. Further, allotment of Vistadome coaches is based on factors such as availability of Vistadome coaches, its operational feasibility, load limitations, day-time journey of the train and demand of the passengers.
This information was given by the Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronic & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Election Commission
Arunachal Pradesh goes to polls in Phase 1 on 11th April
12 Candidates in the fray for two Lok Sabha seats
2,202 polling stations set up for the smooth conduct of elections
11 polling stations set up exclusively for women
Highest polling station at 13,583 feet
Arunachal Pradesh will go to polls for General Elections-2019 in single Phase. Arunachal West Parliamentary constituency and Arunachal East Parliamentary constituency to vote on 11th April.
There are 798248 voters in the state with 394456 males and 403792 females.
As per the data available, Arunachal West Parliamentary constituency has 461214 voters with 223234 male voters and 237980 female voters while Arunachal East Parliamentary constituency has 337034 voters with 171222 male voters and 165812 female voters. Interestingly, Arunachal West Parliamentary constituency has more female voters enrolled, making Arunachal Pradesh’s overall female voter count greater than male voter count.
Seven candidates, including one woman, are in fray for Arunachal West Parliamentary constituency seat while 5 candidates are in fray for Arunachal East Parliamentary constituency seat. 2,202 Polling Stations are in place for voting.
Polling Station No. 52 SE  offices, East Side, Naharlagun under 13-Itanagar  AC with 1,340 voters has the highest number of electors in the state.
The Polling Station with least number of electors is Malogam Temporary Structure in Malogam Village under 45-Hayuliang  Assembly Constituency with 1  female voter.
Polling Station No. 18-Luguthang under 3-Mukto  Assembly Constituency is the highest Polling Station located at an altitude of about 13,583 feet.
Also, 11 numbers of Polling Stations exclusively for female voters have been set up in the state.
As per records, Photo Electoral Roll coverage is 99.79% and Electoral Photo Identity Card coverage is 99.81%.
The Notification for elections to Arunachal Pradesh was issued on 18th March. Last date of filing nominations was 25th March. The scrutiny of nominations took place on 26th March while the last date for withdrawal of candidates was 28th March.
Ministry of Power
India set to organise two day summit on Green Hydrogen Initiatives involving BRICS nations
India is all set to host a two day summit on Green Hydrogen initiatives on 22nd June, 2021 involving the BRICS nations. The prestigious event offers a platform to share their respective Green Hydrogen initiatives and views on how to take it to the next level in their own countries. The online event will be held via a video conference and will conclude on 23rd June.
The event will be anchored by India’s largest power producer and one of the global energy majors, NTPC Ltd , a Maharatna CPSU under Ministry of Power.The virtual summit will bring the best brains, policy makers and major stakeholders from the BRICS nations deliberating and discussing at length the future of Hydrogen in the energy mix.
On Day 1, the representatives from each country would be sharing respective initiatives undertaken by their countries on utilization of hydrogen and their future plans. The speakers will also share the relevance of different technologies developed on hydrogen and its priorities for their country.
Day 2 will witness panel discussions on ideas integrating hydrogen in overall energy policy framework by different countries. The discussions to entail financing options for the emerging green hydrogen technologies and the institutional support needed to create the requisite ecosystem for the technology to flourish.
As the world rapidly moves to decarbonise the entire energy system, hydrogen is poised to play a vital role and build on the rapid scale-up of renewable resources across the world. Hydrogen when produced by electrolysis using renewable energy is known as Green Hydrogen which has no carbon footprint. This gives Hydrogen the edge over other fuels to unlock various avenues of green usage. However, challenges lie in terms of technology, efficiency, financial viability and scaling up which the summit will aim to address.
Green hydrogen has innumerable applications. Green Chemicals like ammonia and methanol can directly be utilized in existing applications like fertilizers, mobility, power, chemicals, shipping etc. Green Hydrogen blending up to 10% may be adopted in CGD networks to gain widespread acceptance. Further scaling up with greening of hard to abate sectors  through hydrogen is to be explored. Many countries have brought out their strategies and defined targets and roadmaps based on their resources and strengths.
Ministry of Power
Shri Sanjeev Nandan Sahai assumes charge as Secretary, Ministry of Power
Shri Sanjeev Nandan Sahai assumed charge as Secretary, Ministry of Power here today. Prior to this, he was serving as the Special Secretary in the Ministry of Power. Shri Sahai is a UT cadre IAS officer of 1986 batch.He has also served as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Power from May,2018 to July, 2019.
Along with these Shri Sahai has held several other important positions in the Union as well as State Governments. These includeDG and Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Principal Secretary in the Home Department,Chairman and MD of Delhi Transport Corporation, Secretary-cum-Commissioner Transport for Delhi Government, Chairman of the Chandigarh Housing Board, Finance Secretary in the Government of NCT of Delhi, Home Secretary etc.
Shri Sanjeev Nandan Sahai taking charge as the Secretary, Ministry of Power, in New Delhi on November 01, 2019.
Prime Minister's Office
PM attends Buddha Jayanti Celebrations in New Delhi
On the occasion of Buddha Jayanti, Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined the celebrations at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, in New Delhi.
He offered Sangh Dana. He also presented the Vaishakh Sammaan Prashasti Patra to the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath; and the All India Bhikshu Sangha, Bodh Gaya.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister asserted that India is home to a unique heritage, where the overriding thought has always been the benefit of mankind. He said that the teachings of Lord Buddha have shaped many nations. He said India has never been an aggressor.
The Prime Minister spoke about the eight-fold path given by Lord Buddha, and said that the problems that we are facing can be overcome by following this path.
The Prime Minister said that Buddha’s message of love and compassion can be of immense benefit to the world today. Therefore, he emphasized that all those who believe in the Buddha, should unite their strengths towards this noble cause.
Shri Narendra Modi said that the Government is working with compassion to serve people, in line with the path shown by Lord Buddha. He also said the Union Government is working with an elaborate vision, to preserve the cultural heritage of India, which includes the heritage associated with Lord Buddha. He said a sum of Rs. 360 crore has been approved for the Buddhist Circuit.
The Prime Minister exhorted the gathering to make a contribution towards the New India of 2022, when the country will celebrate 75 years of freedom. He asked everyone to identify some tasks, which they could resolve to accomplish by that date.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves MoU between India and Austria
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approvedthe signing of the Memorandum of Understanding  between the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, India and the Federal Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Technology, Austria on Technology Cooperation in the Road Infrastructure Sector.
Impact:
The MoU aims to create an effective framework for bilateral cooperation in the field of Road Transportation, Roads/Highways infrastructure development, management and administration, Road safety and Intelligent Transport Systems between both countries.
The MoU will further strengthen ties, promote long standing bilateral relations and enhance trade and regional integration between Republic of India and the Republic of Austria.
Benefits:
The Indo-Austrian bilateral cooperation in the road transport sector would be beneficial both from the perspective of enhanced road safety as well as attractive financing possibilities for the sector, thus fostering and intensifying the already good relations between the two countries, through the proposed MoU in the Transport sector.
Background:
India has had good diplomatic relations with Austria since the establishment of bilateral ties between the two countries in 1949. Both countries share a history of friendly economic and diplomatic relations. Austria has state of the art technologies for roads and highways, such as electronic toll systems, intelligent transportation systems, traffic management systems, tunnel monitoring systems, geo-mapping and landslide protection measures.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
DEPwD urges M/O Home Affairs to ensure minimum support services to persons with disabilities during Lockdown Period
The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities , Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has urged the Ministry of Home Affairs to ensure minimum support services to Persons with Disabilities  during the lockdown period.
In a letter to the Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, the Secretary, DEPwD has written that Persons with Disabilities are very vulnerable in situations of risk. They need continuous care and support owing to their disability. Many of them are dependent on caretakers, maids and other support service providers in their daily activity/living. DEPwD has been receiving several calls from various quarters regarding hardship being faced by Persons with Disabilities during lockdown period as their maids/caregivers are finding it difficult to reach their homes during this period. While there is no denying fact that social distancing norms are followed to the hilt, but at the same time it is the responsibility of the Government to take measures to ensure their access to essential support services, given the severe restrictions imposed on the movement of people.
It is urged in the letter for issuance of instructions to law enforcement authorities in the States/UTs to take immediate steps to issue passes to the caregivers/maids of Persons with Disabilities on priority basis. If need be, assistance of District officials dealing with Divyangjan may be sought for quick verification. The local police may also be advised to give wide publicity in their locality to elicit request of Persons with Disabilities without delay.
Ministry of Defence
DIAT ORGANIZES JOINT WORKSHOP WITH SIX UK UNIVERSITIES
Defence Institute of Advanced Technology , Pune conducted an International Workshop with six U.K. Universities to identify areas of futuristic and collaborative research on 14th July, 2021.
Some of topics identified and discussed are Advanced Material and Manufacturing, Propulsion Technology, AI & ML, Radar and Communication, Quantum Technology and Nano Technology and Sensors. Nearly twenty senior faculty from UK participated.
This workshop is likely lead to exchange of students and faculty in addition to collaborative Research and Projects. Specialists faculty participated from DIAT side.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID - 19 Vaccination Update - Day 413
India’s cumulative vaccination coverage crosses 178.52 Crore
More than 21 lakh Vaccine doses administered today till 7 pm
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 178.52 Crore  today. More than 21 lakh  Vaccine Doses have been administered till 7 pm today. More than 2.04 Crore  Precaution Doses for the identified categories of beneficiaries  for COVID vaccination have been administered so far. The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late tonight.
The cumulative coverage of vaccine doses, segregated based on population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10401948
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
9973419
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
4227886
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
18410162
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
17454977
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
6331547
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
55252106
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
30085582
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
552349062
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
448197759
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
202360562
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
181047657
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
126481828
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
112750591
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
9919040
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
965255668
|
|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
799509985
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
20478473
|
|
Total
|
|
1785244126
Today’s achievement in the vaccination exercise, segregated by population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Date: 4th March, 2022 
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
85
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1426
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
12875
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
99
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
2779
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
17848
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
97972
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
603714
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
114974
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
894729
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
18058
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
197668
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
13344
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
122288
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
72497
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
244532
|
|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
1822604
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
103220
|
|
Total
|
|
2170356
The vaccination exercise as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country from COVID-19 continues to be regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level.
Prime Minister's Office
Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Women, Her Excellency Marise Payne, and Minister for Defence, His Excellency Peter Dutton call on Prime Minister
The Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Women, Her Excellency Marise Payne, and Minister for Defence, His Excellency Peter Dutton, paid a courtesy-call on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today, soon after the conclusion of the first Ministerial-level 2+2 Dialogue between India and Australia.
Prime Minister expressed his appreciation to the Australian dignitaries for the productive discussions during the 2+2 Dialogue, pointing out that this was a sign of growing strategic convergence between both countries.
A number of issues were discussed during the meeting, including possibilities of further expanding bilateral strategic and economic cooperation, the common approach of both countries towards the Indo-Pacific region, and the growing importance of the Indian community in Australia as a human-bridge between both sides.
Prime Minister conveyed his appreciation for the role that Prime Minister Scott Morrison, has played, in rapidly advancing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership instituted between both countries last year. He renewed his invitation to Prime Minister Morrison to visit India at his earliest convenience.